The 22-year-old Kamara has emerged as a front-runner for the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award with 608 rushing yards, 639 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. The third-round draft pick out of Tennessee ranked second in the NFL with 990 total yards from scrimmage from Weeks 6-14 -- behind only the Steelers' Le'Veon Bell.

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Saints quarterback Drew Brees is the latest in a string of players critical of Thursday games, citing the lack of recovery time and pointing to the six injuries suffered by the team in their loss to the Falcons.

The Saints still control their own destiny in the NFC South. But they'll need to get revenge on the Falcons in two weeks to maintain that control.

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Should Kamara be sidelined, veteran Saints running back Mark Ingram should play an even bigger role. Ingram has been equally effective as part of New Orleans' dynamic running back duo. He ranks third in the NFL with 882 scrimmage yards since Week 6. Ingram and Kamara are on pace to become the first duo to surpass 1,500 scrimmage yards in the same season.

Ingram started and took the first carry for the Saints despite being listed as questionable for Thursday's game with a toe injury.

Saints rookie defensive end Trey Hendrickson limped off the field and rode a cart back to the locker room after suffering an ankle injury when he planted his foot awkwardly. He did not return.

The Saints' defense also lost linebacker A.J. Klein in the first half to a groin injury. Starting left guard Senio Kelemete also left the field with a possible concussion and did not return.